I found "She's Not Sorry" by Mary Kubica to be a good thriller, but it had a lot going on that felt overwhelming as a reader. I thought it was clear that Kubica was trying to throw in details and plot points that would confuse the reader from knowing the details of the plot twist. Unfortunately I thought it was just overall confusing instead.

Just WOW. I delved into this labyrinth of suspense, following the footsteps of ICU nurse Meghan Michaels. Like a tightrope walker, she navigates the precarious balance between tending to her comatose patient with a questionable past and grappling with the lurking shadow of a neighborhood predator.

As I turned each page, the anticipation built like a storm on the horizon, crackling with electricity. The twist shocked me—a revelation that sent shivers down my spine, like to a sudden plunge into icy waters. While some may find certain plot developments a stretch of the imagination, I reveled in the thrill of the unexpected.

From start to finish, the narrative surged forward with the momentum of a speeding train, leaving me breathless in its wake. Kubica weaves a tapestry of tension, each thread tinged with the dark hues of uncertainty. Her prose is a symphony of suspense, each note striking a chord deep within the reader's soul. "She's Not Sorry" is a rollercoaster of emotions—an exhilarating ride that will keep you in the dark until the end.

Meghan's life is in a state of upheval. A newly divorced mom of a moody sixteen year old, work is the one place that she feels like she has her life together - until a difficult case comes into the ICU and she's put in a tricky situation.

Caitlin Bennett first enters Meghan's ICU as an assumed suicide - she jumped from a pedestrian bridge to a railyard 20 feet below resulting in grevious bodily injuries and a coma. Caitlin's situation is extremely touch and go. Her family gathers and hopes for the best, but the outlook is grim. There is little investigation into the circumstances of her condition, until a witness comes forward and claims to have seen a second person on the bridge with Cailtin. Did she jump, or was she pushed?

While trying to cope with a very touch and go situation at work, a contentious divorce, and her attitudinal teenage daughter, there's also a serial killer and rapist loose in her neighborhood. Meghan's anxiety is through the roof, fearing for her and her daughter's safety as they frequently travel/commute to work and school alone and spend large chunks of time at home in their questionable apartment with a door that doesn't properly lock.

Things aren't great for Meghan, and the stress keeps building. In a seemingly random stroke of fate, Meghan reconnects with a friend from high school, Nat. Through their conversations and reconnecting, Meghan discovers that Nat is in an abusive relationship with her very successful husband. Being a bleeding heart, Meghan steps in to try to help her leave her husband, Declan,

Meghan is so caught up in trying to be everything to everyone that when she start receiving threatening letters in her mailbox, her world comes crashing down around her. Who could possibly be targeting her, and why?

This was my third Mary Kubica book, the first two being Local Woman Missing and Just the Nicest Couple. I have enjoyed what I've read so far - she certainly can weave an interesting plot! The first maybe 70% of this story was a rough slog. It was extremely slow and felt extremely disjointed. In the last 30% or so, things drastically picked up and it was reading whiplash. I had a hard time parsing out what exactly was happening when and where. My biggest problem, however, is that Kubica seems to have a modus opperandi that she falls into for all of her books. After reading three of her books now, the twists in the story come across as far more predicable. It was easy (for me at least) to predict not only what happened with Caitlin Bennett, but also the identity of the serial killer/rapist early on purely based on patterns from her other books.

While I did enjoy the story, the repetitive nature of the structure of the plot compared to earlier books keep me from rating this higher.

Thank you to HTP for an advanced copy of this book for review.

This one was tough because it has been getting so much hype, but once again, I find myself questioning whether we read the same book. I liked the book, don't get me wrong, Kubica is a great writer, but that is sometimes the problem with highly anticipated books everyone is talking about. I find myself questioning if it affects my opinion to go in with such high expectations and inevitably be let down.

Pace -
I have seen people refer to this as a "fast-paced" thriller... what? I want to have a conversation with these people about what they consider "fast-paced," because literally nothing happens until about 70% of the way through this book. You have the main character walking around a lot, pondering about her safety a lot, and just not much happening. The pacing was fine for me, it was more of a slow burn, but I would definitely not call it "fast-paced" by any means.

Plot -
The plot was good, and it is hard to get into it without giving spoilers. Let's just say that the twists were great. One of the issues I had was that there was a lot going on. I think we could have done away with one or two of the sub-plots. Megan is a nurse caring for a woman in a coma who jumped/was pushed off a bridge, there is a serial predator on the loose breaking into homes, Megan is coping with a divorce, Megan is dealing with raising an angsty teenage daughter, Megan takes on the problems of a friend in a DV situation, Megan holds up her friend struggling with a pregnant wife at home, and the list goes on. I would say that it could have been dialed in a little more, and I thought there was just one plot twist too many.

Characters -
None were likable. I found it to be particularly irksome how Megan just believed and adopted everything anyone told her, without really considering it deeper. Sometimes she would be told things that contradicted things she was told by someone else, and her initial opinion seemed to go out the window with zero consideration or acknowledgement that someone had to be lying because both couldn't be true.

Overall -
I liked the book. I didn't dislike it by any means. I was just sucked into the hype and expected more. It was a solid and reliable thriller, but didn't necessarily wow me.

Meghan is a newly divorced single mom working as an ICU nurse with a new and disturbing case - a woman fell off a pedestrian bridge 20 feet and is in a coma. There is a serial killer on the loose in her neighborhood and Meghan is worried about her and her daughter’s vulnerability living alone. Also her old acquaintance from high school shows up at her divorce support meeting with bruises and needing someone to listen and support her. Meghan is trying to be everything to everyone - support for the parents of the coma victim, to her friend and a good mom to her daughter - everyone seems to need except the person sending her threatening letters. Someone is after Meghan and she can’t figure out who.

This book had so much going on that it was hard to tell who or what (or when) things were happening. I actually ended up liking it but it took me a while to understand the story in order to get into it. There were some twists that were smart and I appreciated that, and the story (once I got into it) kept me entertained and guessing (and it was certainly good for my jet lagged induced insomnia). This was my first Kubica and I will certainly read another (so I will take recs if anyone wants to give me any) but I can’t compare it to any of her others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for the ARC to review

Meghan Michaels gets a call that her teenage daughter is being held for ransom and time is of the essence. The story shifts to events before this dreaded call to a hospital ICU where Meghan is a nurse and is tending to Caitlin, a new patient. Critically injured, the young woman is believed to have jumped off a bridge onto train tracks in a suicide attempt. Caitlin's parents rush to her side and Meghan becomes too invested in her patient and her family. Meghan reconnects with Nat, an old high school friend, also attending a divorce support group. Having seen the effects of domestic abuse, Meghan discovers that Nat is dealing with an abusive relationship and tries to help. Meghan is also fearful for herself and her daughter when a string of attacks on women take place in her Chicago neighborhood. Hang on to your seat as these storylines come together.

She's Not Sorry just might be my new favorite book by author Mary Kubica. With a cast of complex characters, it is an intense, fast-paced and twisty ride. It's dark and very clever.

4.25 stars.

The main theme of this book: Don’t Trust Anyone….

"She’s Not Sorry" is a slow-burn who-dun-it thriller that gradually builds and will keep you guessing until the end. The initial build-up, although seemingly slow, is crucial for setting the stage for the gripping twists and turns that follow.

This story is set in a dangerous part of Chicago known for its high crime rate. There has recently been an increase in break-ins and women getting attacked. The eerie atmosphere makes you feel uneasy and makes you feel as though someone may be watching you.

Told from a single POV, this story revolves around ICU nurse Meghan Michaels. Balancing her role as a single mother and nurse, Meghan’s life takes a dramatic turn when she uncovers a patient’s dark secrets, plunging her into a dangerous and suspenseful journey.

Overall this story had me hooked from the beginning. I would recommend going into it mostly blind as there are many different storylines and twists. Mary Kubica has written one of my favorite thrillers “Local Woman Missing” and this one would definitely be my second favorite of hers! Highly recommend picking this one up!

Trigger Warnings:

- Suicide
- Domestic Violence
- Kidnapping
- Sexual Assault

While these themes are not depicted graphically on the page, they are integral to the storyline and are discussed within the context of the narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row, and Mary Kubica for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Read if you like:
🔀 Twists and Turns
🏥 Hospital Settings
👩🏻‍⚕️ Nurse FMC
🔎 Mysteries
💨 Fast Paced Reads

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, oh how wrong was I… the twists and turns and jaw dropping reveals were done so perfectly, especially when you felt like you had it figured out all to just be slapped in the face that you actually probably had no clue what was going on truly still…

This was my second book by Mary Kubica and oh my gosh, I now need to read the rest of her backlog because the way she does her pacing and misdirection is absolutely perfect!

If you like the vibes of being creeped out, looking over your shoulder, not trusting anyone or anything… then you definitely need to check this one out as it checks all those boxes!

I am being vague as possible with my review because I went in blind and I feel like that really heightened the experience for me with the reveals and all the twists and turns along the way!

Thank you so so so so much to HTP for my gifted arc in exchange for my honest review!

Great story with lots of unexpected twists in this new thriller by Mary Kubica. I've enjoyed all of Kubica's previous books and this was no different.
Things I didn't like:
Some details were repetitive at times, and I felt there were too many subplots thrown in. I also felt the story dragged on a little and then the ending was rushed, and we missed some of the characters' reaction to a major part of the story.

Overall, it was a great read and I would definitely recommend.

Having throughly enjoyed other books by Mary Kubica, I have to say that SHE’S NOT SORRY didn’t disappoint. It’s been a few weeks since I finished reading it and the story continues to fill my thoughts. I haven’t ever reread a book, but would consider it with this one. So much suspense and twists. I have already recommended it to many! SHE’S NOT SORRY is a thriller that they won’t want to put down.

This was a good, past paced thriller. Being in the healthcare field, I especially liked this one. It was very twisty and I would’ve never guessed the ending! Thank you so much for this early copy!

What a fantastic thriller! The plot is so well-paced with the perfect amount of suspense and drama to keep you completely captivated until the very end. It's divided into two parts and while the first part is a bit of a slow burn, by part two everything has come together in the wildest of ways and will leave your mind completely blown. There are multiple storylines happening all at once and I thought Kubica did a beautiful job of keeping them separate while also interweaving as needed without confusing the reader. Even if you're able to guess some of the twists that will be thrown at you, I feel like there are several you absolutely won't see coming. I also love Kubica's writing style where she makes her characters so real and believable while at the same time making them 100% sketchy and suspicious, ha! I will highly recommend this one to all my fellow thriller lovers!

3.5-4 stars "She's Not Sorry" by Mary Kubica was a solid thriller that kept me enthralled throughout the book. The twists and turns of the plot were exciting, and many I didn't see coming! The only negative from the book would be the ending. It wasn't a satisfying ending for me, and just kind of ended with too many unknowns not addressed. But overall, I enjoyed the book.

SHE’S NOT SORRY features single mom and ICU nurse Meghan Michaels who finds herself making choices that will change her life forever. In this chilling domestic thriller by Mary Kubica we have multiple storylines in which Kubica does an amazing job with the well-placed and shocking twist. My second read of hers and most definitely not my last.

SHE’S NOT SORRY shares both the work and personal life of Meghan. While her story is dark, Kubica delivers Meghan as a compassionate caregiver and loving mom/friend, helping the reader empathize with her along the way. Taking place in the Windy City, we are also given a glimpse of its dark streets and creepy hospitals.

Kubica delivers a dark storyline with a hint of what it’s like for healthcare workers today. She touches on the sensitive topic of life in healthcare for nurses after the pandemic and the mental health issues one could face.

SHE’S NOT SORRY is a must-read for all thriller lovers as it’s such a bingeworthy read with a twist so good it’s like no other! Filled with unreliable characters and short chapters, this novel should be added to your TBR. I highly recommend.

🖤 A must read for all thriller lovers!

🖤 Thank you Park Row and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

🖤 Congratulations to Mary Kubica on this upcoming release!

Great story, fast paced thriller with two mysteries playing out simultaneously. Unique plot albeit somewhat predictable. Good characters and a fun read

Meghan, an ICU nurse is in charge of taking care of Caitlin, a woman who appears to have jumped from a bridge. Her city appears to have a man who is deliberately attacking women and everyone is on alert. While attending a meeting for newly divorced people Meghan runs into an old friend from high school, Nat Cohen. They have their ex spouses in common (Declan and Ben) and Nat is being abused. Meghan is immediately invested because as a nurse she is a fixer. Nothing is how it seems

Mary Kubica never disappoints. From the prologue to the last page you will be left breathless and turning pages as fast as you can. Every time I think I can predict what is happening or what will happen next, nope, I’m wrong.

I'm not sure why I waited until the last minute to read this book. I've only ever read one other book by her, just the nicest couple, and it was okay. Others have recommended Local woman missing, and pretty baby as her best books. I haven't gotten that far yet because my TBR pile is 100 books long, but after this I will make sure those books move to the top of my pile.

I think I was initially thrown off by the first chapter, starts off with a kidnapping. I don't particularly like reading books about kidnapping, as a mother of three you could assume why. But once you got into the book it was super good. There are lots of twists and turns, high anxiety from all the lies and half truths. When it all comes full circle it makes sense with some of the tiny details and I was super impressed with the way the author's brain worked. It also didn't hurt that there was another full circle moment when all the lose ties were nicely cleaned up (which I really appreciate)

Thank you netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meghan is a divorced mother and ICU nurse who does a great job at separating her work and home lives- until Caitlin becomes her patient. Caitlin is thought to have jump off a bridge in attempt to die, but after some time in a coma, a witness comes forward saying Caitlin was pushed. As Meghan grows too close to the Beckett family, her home life begins to spiral with her tumultuous relationship with her ex, her up and down relationship with her teen daughter Sierra, and her stressful, recently rekindled friendship with Nat.

This author is an instant read for me and I have read every one of her books. This one was definitely the slowest start. It took to about 65% to pickup, but the last 35% of the book was twist after twist. I enjoyed the story, but I do wish the beginning was less slow, though that did not stop me from wanting to keep reading and see what happened.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have read a few books by Mary Kubica. A few I really enjoyed….this was I'm on the fence with. Two third ls of the book moved at a really slow pace and I just didn't know where the story could possibly be going. There were three different parts of the story that just seemed completely separate from each other and I feel like it just watered down the whole story. Then there's a twist. It was a good one. I actually wondered if I had missed something and had to flip back to check. Then the pace picks up. In the end, I felt like I was left with questions. All in all, it held my interest, but it just wasn't my favorite. I'd still definitely pick up more of her books in the future though!

Out April 2.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. My review will be posted on goodreads, Bookbub, and Amazon once it publishes.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a eARC of this book! 3.75 stars. This was a fun thriller and I enjoyed how all the moving pieces came together by the end, although I do still have a couple lingering questions about certain characters. I found the premise of following a nurse and her comatose patient to be really interesting. Without giving anything away because I want to keep this spoiler free, the feasibility of the twist is the only thing keeping me from giving this book a higher rating. Since my copy was early and it was not edited/formatted to the extent the finished copy will be, I’m not sure if there will be a dinkus to format everything so that the twist “works” so to speak and isn’t unfair to the reader I guess. It’s hard to explain without spoiling anything so I’ll just leave it there. I’ll have to check out a finished copy. If this twist does in fact work though I thought it was a damn good one and it completely got me which I always love.